Volunteers lining up at every nook and corner, sending water, milk, medicines and food to Chennai.
Relief material being sent to Chennai. (Photo: DC)
Bengaluru: It is quite ironical that the two states that were divided over water are now united by water. After Chennai floods, Karnataka has been going all out to help their neighbours in distress. Volunteers have been lining up at every nook and corner of the city and sending truckloads of water, milk, medicines and food. The social media has been most active seeking out volunteers and relief material to help Chennaiites.
Mr Waseem Memon of the Drive Without Borders Foundation has managed to collect Rs 2.8 lakh in one day. “Our group member, who is also my good friend, is based in Chennai. He was stranded as the entire basement and ground floor of his apartment were flooded. He managed to get out only on Friday and he had to travel 18 km to get a packet of milk and water. He told us that there was an acute shortage of water and milk. I spoke to a few other groups and they also agreed that bottled water and milk were needed the most in Chennai,” he said. The group managed to get 50 per cent discount on a good brand of mineral water.
“A Good Samaritan agreed to let his 20-tonne truck, which has high ground clearance, to carry the water bottles to Chennai at his own cost,” he said. Similarly, water, food, medicines and other essentials have been donated by Whitefield and Kundanahalli residents. “People are coming out in droves and contributing to the cause. The spirit is high and we can do wonders in our own little way! The volunteer group at Lotus Krest Apartment in Kundanhalli is doing a commendable job,” a resident said. Around 17 truckloads of relief material were sent from Electronic City on Friday. Volunteers helped segregate and package the goods before dispatching them. A few volunteers also traveled with the trucks and ensured that the materials reached Chennai safely. Anybody willing to contribute can call 98 45 091361, 99457 06706 and 99019 22214.
KSRTC does its bit, runs free buses, offers discounted fares:
The state-run KSRTC is busy in Chennai relief and rescue work. On Saturday, it brought in as many as 120 students of Chennai IIT to Bengaluru after a request by the Maharashtra government. Mr Rajender Kumar Kataria, MD, KSRTC, said that the students travelled in three Airavat Club Class buses. The transport corporation also shifted around 400 software professionals working in various IT majors, including Cognizant, to Bengaluru. “Normally, we charge additional fare for Casual Contract Buses. But on humanitarian grounds, we are offering discounted rates on these buses," he said.
Following a heavy demand for bus tickets from Bengaluru to Chennai and return journey, KSRTC has decided to introduce free buses between to help flood-affected families and their relatives. “KSRTC is running three free bus services from Bengaluru to Chennai till December 12. Among them, two are Karnataka Sarige buses (ordinary buses) and one Airavat Club Class bus,” he said. He announced that people can send relief material to Chennai for free of cost through KSRTC buses. Over the last 15 days, since floods affected Chennai, KSRTC has incurred a loss of '44.22 lakh, he said.
No trains:
The Southwestern Railway did not operate any train to Chennai even on Saturday. Only a special train left the city at 9 am and could reach only till Chennai Beach Station. “We will not run regular trains even on Sunday. Only one special train will be operated," an officer said.
40 passengers rescued from Tambaram land at HAL Airport:
As many as 40 passengers from Tambaram landed at the HAL Airport on Saturday as part of the rescue operations carried out to help the stranded people in Chennai and surrounding areas. The passengers were brought to the city in an AN 32. HAL CMD T. Suvarna Raju said that the entire staff is happy that the HAL Airport can be used for a noble mission during crisis hours.
Though the HAL Airport is not open for commercial operations since 2008, it is used 24x7 for military flying, test sorties, chartered and VVIP flights. The Chennai Airport started partial operations on Saturday, and a flight from Bengaluru left to the Arakkonam Naval Base in the morning.
A spokesperson from the Kempegowda International Airport said that 18 passengers traveled to Chennai from Bengaluru and most of the passengers who have arrived at the airport from Chennai came by road. “There has been a dynamic increase in the number of people arriving at the airport. We are ensuring that travelers reach their destinations at the earliest,” he said.
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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